{fad(500,500)}This story is a work of “near-future” fiction. Any resemblance to existing persons or organizations is entirely coincidental. Goto Kenji-san, a mentor with the youth support organization, Ring of Hearts. During some fieldwork at a park with his charges, he slipped on an incline, and ended up in the hospital. {fad(1000,1000)}Kenji-san’s oldesi{c&HF5DFD9&i1}STV{c&H9B1E36&}i K G
{fad(1000,1000)}Kenji-san’s oldest son Goto Satoshi-san The external injuries weren’t that bad, but… My father hit his head hard enough that he lost consciousness. After awakening from his ominous fall, Kenji-san was clearly a different person. i fSTVi K G Novo Doctor Sakura Nobuhiko-san
There’s been a sharp decline in his sense of self and awareness. It seems the impact to the head was strong enough to cause some kind of impairment. I’ve told the family that treatment from the super AI, Michi, would have the best chances for a positive outcome. Kenji-san’s oldesiSTVi K G
Kenji-san’s oldest son Goto Satoshi-san It’s just… having a super AI figure out problems that are beyond human ability… My father was particularly against that kind of thing. I see red dragonflies as the sun sets… There was one ray of hope that managed to reach the Goto family: The singing of Kenji-san’s granddaughter, Rion-san.
When was it that I last saw them on someone’s back? Did you hear that, Grandpa? I sure did. Keep working at it. Work hard. {fad(1000,1)frz9pos(97,364)}i f{c&HF5DFD9&i1}STV{c&H9B1E36&}i Goto Kenji-san {fad(1000,1)frz9pos(97,364)}Goto Kenji-san Moments when he’s touched by music or film
Seem to restore humanity to Kenji-san’s damaged circuitry. Miracles brought about by the art people have created. {frz10pos(97,364)}i f{c&HF5DFD9&i1}STV{c&H9B1E36&}i Goto-san’s family {frz10pos(97,364)}Goto-san’s family Goto-san’s family has only begun their road to recovery.
We at Humanoid Rights Japan are having doubts about promoting this case. There’s a way to treat his neural net, but his family won’t pursue it. That’s clearly neglect. The mind’s a sensitive subject. There are plenty of cases where people reject neurological help from super AI.
Then what if a human were to heal him? Can you do it, Dr. Sudo? They’d have to come in for a diagnosis. Thank you so much! {fad(1,500)}Human {fad(1,500)}Human This kind of treatment carries a lot of risks. Most doctors are inclined to leave it to super AI.
However, Dr. Sudo has the skills to pull it off. The hardware damage isn’t too severe. I don’t believe it’s affected anything that could impact his identity. If we install additional systems to restore his lost functionality, your father’s symptoms should effectively clear up. I… see.
No way! We can’t trust the general media with this. We need to be the first source for the narrative. I’ll call you back. Later. How’d it go? The doctor says he can be healed. So, when’s the procedure scheduled? We… haven’t exactly decided to go through with it yet.
Is there some kind of issue? This is going to involve installing new programming, right? It’s not like someone with a prosthesis becomes a different person. But adding a prosthesis isn’t the same as changing a neural net. Of course! But there are parts in our heads that can be replaced safely.
In that sense, I believe it’s the same. Why are you hesitating?! I don’t get it. You’ve got an effective means of treatment right in front of you! I can’t guarantee that he’ll be completely back to normal. There’s definitely going to be data that was physically lost. You did great today.
Now, let’s get you home. I’d like more time to think it over. I see red dragonflies as the sun sets… When was it that I last saw them on someone’s back? In the fields of the mountains… {pos(502,66)}~ Miraculous Voices ~ {pos(148,283)}Part 4 {c&H8400C6&}Listening{c&HB6540B&} to his granddaughter’s singing What’s your take here? On what?
Dr. Sudo… I feel like this family has some reason for not wanting to heal Kenji-san. Like what? I hear the daughter is aiming to become a singer, or an entertainer… Then you think that they’re using this situation in order to gain notoriety? Whatever the reason,
Refusing effective treatment is a violation of his rights. Do you think they’ll get the surgery? Hard to say. And it’s not for me to decide. Who’s calling at this hour? {pos(380,287)fad(150,1)frz13fax-0.1c&HFFFFFF&}Kakei I apologize for calling so late. I really wanted to address this matter today. We at Humanoid Rights Japan think that
Refusing treatment for Goto Kenji-san is a serious… “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This is how article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948, begins. The use of “human beings” here does not include Humanoids.
From their debut on the stage of history, {fad(1000,1000)an9pos(610,76)3c&HFFFEF1&3a&H3A&}In front of Goto-san’s home {fad(1000,1000)shad03c&HE6E5DA&3a&H3A&pos(129,305)} Kakei to their adoption into the brotherhood of humanity, to winning the rights that they have currently have, it has been a long and hard road. Ultimately, with the birth of super AI, the status quo changed dramatically. {fax-0.25frz15pos(305,100)3c&H5140C3&}Surgery In-Progress
{fax-0.25frz15pos(305,100)}Surgery In-Progress Jay, I’ve finished setting up the additional modules. I see no issues on my end. We’ll move onto suturing the bio-body shut then. R-Right… You feeling all right? I’m fine! Okay, let’s put him back together. His vital signs are all stable. Is Grandpa gonna be okay? I’m sure he will be.
Let’s all… welcome him back. Persistent, aren’t you? You’re back already? Of course! Checking on Goto Kenji-san’s condition is a part of our duties. Can I move the lighting gear to the second floor? Sure. Go ahead. Pardon us. Oof… Come on, man, this is a hospital.
I assure you, we got permission from the family first. How nice of them. Makes me doubt they’d be as conniving as— Doctor! The patient is getting violent! Dad! You ungrateful idiot son! I know what your game is! K-Kenji-san? You made a sideshow out of me, you rotten— Goto-san! Please, calm down! I’m gonna…
You’ve got it wrong, Dad. I was trying to honor your teachings… I wanted your case to give other people like you hope! Don’t give me that, you little bastard! Dad, calm down! Risa! Sedative! R-Right! Hey! Hold his other side, please! Got it. Here we go. What did you do? That was general anesthesia.
W-Was there an issue with the procedure?! Hey! Say something! That’s not it. The doctor did an amazing job. It’s not? How can you be sure? My father’s passion for education, his love of my daughter’s singing, and his violence toward me are all parts of him we’re familiar with.
He’s completely back to normal. Thank you. Uh… are we shooting this? But I… I wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t, was I? I could seriously not care less. If I accept a patient, I’ll do everything I can for them. And that’s all I’m prepared to do.
We apologize for any difficulty the product has caused you. I’m sorry that you had to deal with that. I’ll look into arranging for a replacement. I’m terribly sorry, but your issue isn’t covered by our company’s liability. Screw you! I don’t want pre-programmed apologies! That doesn’t mean a damn thing!
I wanna talk to a human! {pos(148,81)}Call: {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {pos(148,81)c&H0500B0&}Call: {pos(148,81)}Call: There’ve been a lot of calls like that lately. I can handle the apology— No… I’ll deal with it, don’t worry. {frz15fax-0.3move(439,120,520,120)c&H242C29&}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic The stress is giving me these stabbing pains in my stomach.
Is there no way to cut the link between the two? I could make that adjustment, but if we mute your body’s warning signals like that… Oh, I see what you mean. I didn’t realize how much it was getting to me, and now I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakdown.
It sounds like a tough job. Well, yes. Isn’t this the kind of thing a customer service AI could handle? Calls like that… AI is great at the job, certainly. But… when a customer is demanding an apology, they tend to be particular about who they want it from.
There are some that, once they find out I’m a Humanoid… I don’t really see the difference between a computer giving me an error message and you apologizing to me. It’s rude not to have a human do this sort of thing, don’t you think? They don’t give it a second thought.
It makes me think I’m not suited for the job. I bought a new blend. Wanna try? Thank you! It’s good. That patient… is he gonna be okay? I sure hope so. But just treating the symptoms isn’t gonna get him anywhere. You dumbass! This is why you’re useless, man! Say what?!
My bad, my bad! Come on, pull yourself together! Sure! I can’t do this anymore… {pos(148,81)}Call: {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {pos(148,81)c&H0500B0&}Call: {pos(148,81)}Call: I am so sorry. I’ll be there in person right away. Right. Right. If you’ll excuse me. You’d have to be a heartless robot to do this job… I should quit.
And with that being the case, the company does recognize the issue in not realizing how stressed out you were. Which is why… I appreciate the sentiment, sir, but I can’t… Just hear me out. We’re going to be sub-contracting customer service interactions from here on out.
You get that, if someone builds their own house in this day and age, it’s because they’re particular about what they want, right?! Sir, I believe I’ve handled this job as professionally as I can. No, no, I wasn’t trying to say otherwise. Damn it, are you deaf or something?!
I’m saying that this crap looks nothing like the VR demo! I thought you were gonna give me the same thing! My point is, from now on, neither you or your team will have to deal with problematic customers. So, will you reconsider? {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {fs20pos(321,302)}Priority Level: Mid {pos(148,81)}Call:
Seriously, how many times do I have to say it?! {pos(148,81)c&H0500B0&}Call: {pos(148,81)}Call: {pos(148,81)c&H0500B0&}Call: I’m telling your stupid ass to send someone along to take a look! {pos(148,81)}Call: {fs20pos(321,302)3c&H71F9E8&}Elevating to external response staff {fs20pos(321,302)}Elevating to external response staff {pos(148,81)c&H0500B0&}Call: When it comes to customers who are especially upset… We’ve had special training.
Which is why there’s really no need to accompany us. Well, with this being the first incident… I need to be on hand, just in case. Took you long enough! We understand you’ve been inconvenienced… And we are sorry. Damn, you guys took your sweet time!
We’re able to access the staff’s implants in order to get a feed from the scene. Their response is all according to the manual. Right here! It’s pretty clearly wrong, y’know? One moment, please. The color I’m getting is within the acceptable range. I see. What about the color temperature from the lighting?
See what I mean? It’s all wrong. I’m not seeing any mismatch there, either. Check it again, please. Just gonna ignore me? I’ll check the Kelvin scale too. How long’s this gonna take? I’m terribly sorry, sir. It’ll be just a bit longer. Go ahead. Right.
Damn it, it’s obviously different from the wallpaper I ordered! What is this? You guys think I’m some kinda psycho customer? I apologize for the delay. You better! So, how’re you gonna make this right? I’m afraid there’s no apology necessary here. What the hell’d you just say?
The visual impression from this kind of wallpaper varies based on the color temperature caused by lighting. I didn’t ask for excuses! Whoa, whoa! That’s just going to make him more angry! It’s all just part of the act. I’m sorry if it upsets you, sir, but I was explaining, not making excuses.
I didn’t ask for an explanation! I want an apology! And I’m trying to say… I get it. No apologies, then. Because I’m not gonna accept one anymore! Sir, color temperature can vary depending on the color of the bulbs, the light warmth, the shade of white, along with the intensity and color of daylight.
It’s all measured according to the Kelvin scale where— Don’t feed me this crap! Hey! Where the hell do you get off talking to a customer like that?! Sir… Everything you’ve said is completely right. I am so deeply sorry! You take a subordinate who’s fighting back with logic…
And have his supervisor violently silence them, making them into a scapegoat. It proves particularly effective with this kind of customer. How can you be so casual about it?! Even if it’s an act, it’s still… It’s completely inhuman! Exactly. All when the customer’s demanding to hear from a human…
Pretty ironic, if you ask me. The customer was made to see reason. What do you think? Was the outcome to your liking? Look… I realize this is rude, but… You two… are humans, right? I’m terribly sorry, but… That’s confidential. I can’t say for sure… But I think that they really were robots.
Not that it would make me feel better if they were. We can treat your stomach pains, or you can find a new job. Which would you prefer? {fad(900,1)fax0.45pos(600,207)}Uzen Chinese And now an update on the planned upgrade {fs11shad0move(415,217,354,217)c&H202C22&1a&H25&}Major Upgrade Plan that the super high-performance AI, Michi, has outlined for itself.
The government announced today that it intends to review the proposal with an eye toward executing the upgrades. Additionally, experts in associated fields are being consulted You think if Michi gets updated, any of these hazy issues in the world will get cleared up? in regards to reviewing the particulars of… It’s never that simple.
Not the world, nor the people in it. Nor Michi, for that matter. Confession Confession